Dorothea Sheppard Gegenheimer

Dorothea Sheppard Gegenheimer, age 75, of Covington, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. She was born on October 10, 1949, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is survived by her loving husband of 22 years, Henry F. "Fred" Gegenheimer; children, Nicholas James Laird (Brenda), Sarah Jane Sunderman (Jarrod), and Matthew Henry Gegenheimer; grandchildren, Joseph, Esther, Stella, and Wyatt; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Harper Sheppard, Jr. and Dorothy Bernadine Keese Sheppard; and a sister, Judy Sheppard Driskill. "Thea" grew up in New Orleans, graduated from Alcee Fortier High School, and earned a bachelor's degree at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. She taught Kindergarten at various schools throughout the New Orleans area for 13 years before transitioning to a career in real estate. Her lifelong hobbies included fishing, traveling, bird watching, and photography. A longtime faithful member of Waldheim Church, Thea served the church in various ways, coordinating the church's mission at the Methodist Children's Home of Southeast Louisiana, founding the blessing box ministry, and serving as a member of the church board. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be dearly missed by her family, friends, church, and community. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. Gegenheimer may be made to the Waldheim Church Blessing Box by mail to 77067 Highway 21, Covington, Louisiana, 70435, or in the form of canned goods, toiletries, or other nonperishables brought to the church. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the evening wake on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 West 21st Avenue, Covington, Louisiana. Relatives and friends are also invited to attend the funeral service on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Waldheim Church, 77067 Highway 21, Covington, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM at the church. Interment will follow in the Waldheim Church Cemetery. E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mrs. Gegenheimer's funeral arrangements. Her family invites you to share thoughts, memories, and condolences by signing an online guestbook at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.